S. 5218: Colonel Gary LaGrange AgVets Act of 2026

This bill would create a new U.S. Department of Agriculture grant program to help veterans get started in farming and ranching, or improve the businesses they already have.

What the program would do

The Secretary of Agriculture would be required to set up a competitive grant program for eligible organizations that provide education and training related to agriculture for veterans.

Who could apply for grants

Eligible grant recipients would include:

• Cooperative extension services
• Land-grant colleges and universities
• Non-land-grant colleges of agriculture
• Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities
• State departments of agriculture
• Nonprofit organizations
• Community-based organizations
• Partnerships or combinations of those entities

How the money could be used

Organizations that receive grants would have to use the money for activities that help veterans build farming and ranching skills. That could include:

• Training and classroom instruction on farm and ranch business operations
• Developing or identifying curricula for veteran farmers and ranchers
• Workshops, tours, and supervised field experiences
• Other activities approved by the Secretary of Agriculture that are meant to increase veterans’ participation in agriculture

Funding rules

Grant recipients would have to provide non-federal matching funds equal to at least the amount of the federal grant. In other words, if an organization receives federal money, it must also bring in at least the same amount from non-federal sources.

Funding level

The bill authorizes $5 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the program.

Relevant Companies

None found